Western Cape: Dealer Principal posted by Jobs 4 All

About the Role

The Dealer Principal is a senior leadership role responsible for the overall commercial, operational, and financial performance of the branch. This position requires a strategic thinker with excellent business management skills to drive growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver branch sales, aftersales, and profitability targets in line with business objectives.
• Develop and implement branch growth strategies and annual business plans.
• Identify new business opportunities and market development initiatives.
• Make sound commercial decisions that support sustainable growth and profitability.
• Apply modern business management principles and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support strategic initiatives and branch development programs.

Sales Performance & Customer Development

• Drive new vehicle, parts, and service sales performance.
• Ensure effective lead management, quotation follow-up, and pipeline management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key fleet, retail, and strategic customers.
• Support Key Account initiatives and customer development programs.
• Identify customer retention and market expansion opportunities within the branch area.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and customer requirements.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales Operations to execute campaigns and sales initiatives.

Customer Experience & Relationship Management

• Create and maintain a customer-centric culture throughout the branch.
• Ensure customer service standards are consistently achieved.
• Monitor customer satisfaction and implement corrective actions where required.
• Ensure customer complaints are managed effectively and resolved through established escalation processes.
• Conduct regular engagement with major customers to strengthen long-term relationships.
• Drive continuous improvement based on customer feedback and operational insights.

Financial Management & Branch Profitability

• Ensure the branch achieves agreed profitability, revenue, and return-on-investment objectives.
• Develop plans to improve branch financial performance and operational efficiency.
• Forecast sales volumes, stock requirements, and cash flow requirements.
• Review and monitor branch financial performance and management reports regularly.
• Control branch expenditure in line with approved budgets and business objectives.
• Monitor debtors, creditors, invoicing, and financial transactions, ensuring accurate and timely processing through Head Office support functions.

Branch Operations Management

• Ensure efficient day-to-day operation of all branch functions.
• Monitor branch performance against operational and financial objectives.
• Ensure vehicle and parts stock requirements are accurately forecasted and communicated.
• Maintain appropriate stock levels to support customer demand and business objectives.
• Coordinate effectively with Logistics, Procurement, and Head Office support departments.

Aftersales & Workshop Performance

• Ensure high standards of quality, workmanship, and customer support.
• Drive workshop productivity and labour efficiency.
• Monitor parts sales performance and service department profitability.
• Support customer uptime and vehicle availability initiatives.
• Ensure effective coordination between Sales, Parts, and Workshop departments.

People Management & Leadership

• Lead, motivate, and develop branch employees.
• Establish staffing requirements in conjunction with Executive Management and Human Resources.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and manage employee performance effectively.
• Address poor performance promptly and professionally.
• Ensure employee development, succession planning, and skills improvement.

Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, health, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Work closely with Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) teams to maintain a safe and secure working environment.
• Manage branch risks and implement corrective measures where required.

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain effective working relationships with Executive Management and Head Office departments.
• Liaise with customers, suppliers, manufacturers, industry bodies, and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Finance, Logistics, Marketing, Sales Operations, and Aftersales teams.
• Ensure timely communication of branch requirements, forecasts, opportunities, and challenges.

Reporting & Administration

• Prepare and review branch operational and performance reports.
• Monitor branch KPI performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping and reporting systems are maintained.

Authority

The Dealer Principal is responsible for the overall commercial, operational, and financial performance of the branch and is empowered to make decisions necessary to achieve branch objectives within approved policies, delegated authorities, and governance frameworks.